The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, the landmark federal health reform legislation of 2010, makes a wide variety of changes to the existing health system in the United States. California is currently implementing the Affordable Care Act and preparing the health system for necessary changes. On this page, you will find information about federal and state health policy and regulations.

There will be no further extensions of the deadlines for states to decide whether to operate an Exchange. State Exchanges must be financially self-sustaining by January 1, 2015. States will not be assessed a fee for using federal data services. Deadline to operate a Partnership Exchange between the state and […] more

As you all know, the ACA provides for an increase in primary care physician reimbursement from the Medicaid levels to the Medicare levels with 100% federal financial participation (FFP) of the incremental costs of this increase for Calendar Years 2013 and 2014. The goal of this increase is to increase […] more

The Health Care Financing Report examines the state’s budget, health expenditure trends, fiscal future, Proposition 30, and the state of public programs (Medi-Cal, Healthy Families, the Major Risk Medical Insurance Plan, Access for Infants and Mothers, Family PACT, Genetically Handicapped Persons Program). The full report can be downloaded below. The State […] more

Over the weekend, Governor Brown signed legislation that implements central parts of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in California. These pieces of legislation define the essential health benefits package, increase oversight of the small group health insurance market, inform individuals of insurance coverage options when they experience a major life […] more

Governor Brown has the remainder of the month of September to decide whether to sign or veto several pieces of health reform implementation legislation that the Legislature has passed. The legislation would implement many elements of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in California. Included in these bills are provisions that […] more

It’s Labor Day, and we should all take a moment to remember the long fight to establish health care for all working people. This effort began in Germany in the late 19th century led by trade unions and passed by the very conservative Chancellor Otto Von Bismarck. By the end […] more

Last week was the final week of the 2012 legislative session, and the California Legislature passed several key pieces of health reform legislation. Many of the bills implement central elements of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in California. Governor Brown will have the month of September to decide whether to […] more